Five Steps to Renewing Your Mind
By Carolyn Dale Newell
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV
Who greets you when you glance in the mirror? Is it a woman wearing a gray bonnet of wisdom, or do flaws and imperfections obstruct your view? Are you a name-caller? Do you ever use negative verbiage such as fat, stupid, or idiot?
As women, we tend to be our worst critics, inflicting greater harm on ourselves than anyone else.
I read about the unhealthy effects of hopeless speech versus the healing effect of hopeful words while taking the bus one day. Once I was home, I discovered my backpack was still on the bus. Idiot! So much for healing words.
The truth is that I am not an idiot. I am God’s daughter and a prayer warrior. And so are you. God doesn’t want His children to endure harsh words, especially from our own selves. Would you call your spouse stupid?
Would you label your BFF as an idiot? Would you tell your mother or your daughter she is fat? Hopefully not, and you should not toss disrespectful words out to yourself either.
In Romans 12:2, we have two commands. The first one is “Do not be conformed to this world.” Who is the ruler of this world? Satan (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11). Who is the father of lies? Satan (John 8:44).
Who wants to belittle you? Who wants to degrade you? Who wants to hurt you? Satan. And when he can’t get to God, He gets to God’s children.
The world demands we look a certain way. The TV parades endless products through our living rooms, sure to help you drop those unwanted pounds and look younger. No harm in caring for our temples, but this world does not subscribe to God’s standards.
The second command in our focal verse directs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This renewing of our minds is continual and it includes replacing negative self-talk with speaking positive truths over ourselves.
God selected names for us, so let’s take a look at five of them.
● Instruments of Righteousness - Romans 6:13
● Adoption as sons- and daughters - Ephesians 1:5
● Saints - Ephesians 4:12
● Priests - 1 Peter 2:5
● Special; Chosen - 1 Peter 2:9
The labels God chooses for His daughters are exalting, not degrading. We are instruments of righteousness. We are adopted daughters. God chose to adopt us. We are His saints, His priests, and we are God’s special people. Plus, much, much more.
In Philippians 4:8, we are commanded to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and things of good report. Our minds experience renewal when we replace the negative clutter with God’s truth.
Friend, don’t hate yourself, because you are beautiful. The Psalmist refers to the beauty of holiness in Psalm 96:9.
In 1 Peter 3:3-4, Peter discourages ladies from being merely consumed with their outer appearances. He continues by saying, “Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the sight of God.”
Precious. You are precious in the eyes of God. Don’t hate yourself, because you are beautiful.
Look up the verses mentioned above. select the one God impresses upon you to write down on a post-it note. Put it on your bathroom mirror where you will read it when you are tempted to talk down to yourself. Place it on your phone as a reminder at certain times of the day. Stop the negativity. Begin speaking words of life and truth over yourself.
Heavenly Father, I never realized the harm I was doing with negative thoughts. Thank You for thinking of me in a more positive light. Help me to see myself through Your eyes when I am tempted to cut myself with my words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Check out Carolyn’s new book: Incense Rising 60 Days to Powerful Prayer https://www.createspace.com/6267879
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© 2017 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Wednesday, 09 August 2017.
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